Spike Lee Made Heartbreaking Confession About Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd's Sudden Passingbr El fallecimiento repentino de Thomas Jefferson Byrdbr br Spike Leebr American film directorbr Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and professor. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. He made his directorial debut with She's Gotta Have It.br br Thomas Jefferson Byrdbr American character actorbr Thomas Jefferson Byrd was an American character actor who played in several of director Spike Lee's films. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in the 2003 Broadway revival of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.